East Herts one of the best places to live

RESIDENTS in East Herts enjoy one of the highest qualities of life in rural Britain, according to a new survey.

The district was placed third in the 2013 Halifax Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey, behind neighbouring Uttlesford and Waverley in Surrey.

One of the area’s strengths was the high average wage of its residents – £813 per week, significantly higher than the UK average of £513.

Estate agent David Simpson, who is a director of Shepherds in Mill Bridge, Hertford, was not surprised by the survey results.

He said: “Hertford, and East Herts as a whole, has several merits going for it.

“The standard of schooling is a huge factor that attracts people.

“There is also the commuter aspect as people move out of London for a better quality of life.

“We have some more first-time buyers which has helped as well.”

Mr Simpson believes the attractiveness of the area helped East Herts recover from the economic downturn quicker than other areas.

He said: “At the immediate start of the credit crunch, we saw house prices go down by 12 to 15 per cent.

“We noticed confidence return to Hertford in 2009-10, and at the beginning of last year prices returned to the peak they reached in 2007.”

Crime rates, health and population density were all part of the criteria on which areas across the country were graded.

Halifax’s housing economist Martin Ellis said: “East Herts performed strongly against a wide range of indicators to demonstrate that it has among the best quality of life in rural Britain.

“The typical resident of East Herts enjoys a good level of health and has a higher than average life expectancy. The area also benefits from above average employment levels and even boasts an excellent climate - with lower than average annual rainfall and higher than average number of sunshine hours per week .

“While house prices relative to local earnings are above the average for rural areas, this is offset to some degree by the fact that they typical resident has a higher than average weekly income.”

Hertford Mayor Councillor Jane Sartin (Con, Castle) believes the survey could help attract people to the area.

She said: “I am not surprised by this. Those of us that live in East Herts know it is a great place to live, but it’s good to be recognised nationally.

“Hopefully people will see the survey and come to visit and shop.”

Cllr Sartin warned that with between 10,000 and 17,000 homes proposed to be built in the district by 2031, careful consideration needed to be given to make sure the new builds do not detract from the area’s strong points.

She said: “There needs to be progress and change, but I think people that live here like it the way it is.”